How much faith do you have in String Theory??

Question

Is String theory really a solution to the mismatch of Einstiens Releativity and Quantum Physics?

Answer 1

In the last few decades, string theory has emerged as the most promising candidate for a microscopic theory of gravity. And it is infinitely more ambitious than that: it attempts to provide a complete, unified, and consistent description of the fundamental structure of our universe. (For this reason it is sometimes, quite arrogantly, called a 'Theory of Everything').

The essential idea behind string theory is this: all of the different 'fundamental ' particles of the Standard Model are really just different manifestations of one basic object: a string. How can that be? Well, we would ordinarily picture an electron, for instance, as a point with no internal structure. A point cannot do anything but move. But, if string theory is correct, then under an extremely powerful 'microscope' we would realize that the electron is not really a point, but a tiny loop of string. A string can do something aside from moving--- it can oscillate in different ways. If it oscillates a certain way, then from a distance, unable to tell it is really a string, we see an electron. But if it oscillates some other way, well, then we call it a photon, or a quark, or a ... you get the idea. So, if string theory is correct, the entire world is made of strings!

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about string theory is that such a simple idea works--- it is possible to derive (an extension of) the Standard Model (which has been verified experimentally with incredible precision) from a theory of strings. But it should also be said that, to date, there is no direct experimental evidence that string theory itself is the correct description of Nature. This is mostly due to the fact that string theory is still under development. We know bits and pieces of it, but we do not yet see the whole picture, and we are therefore unable to make definite predictions. In recent years many exciting developments have taken place, radically improving our understanding of what the theory is.

We live in a wonderfully complex universe, and we are curious about it by nature. Time and again we have wondered--- why are we here? Where did we and the world come from? What is the world made of? It is our privilege to live in a time when enormous progress has been made towards finding some of the answers. String theory is our most recent attempt to answer the last (and part of the second) question.

Go to this website: http://superstringtheory.com

Answer 2

It's still too early to tell, especially because there has been to direct experimental verification. However, other models that borrow some of the ideas of string theory seem to be testable, and may lead to testable string theory predictions.

For example, in the next decade at the Large Hadron Collider (aka the LHC - under construction in Europe, and will be the most powerful particle collider ever built), we are hoping to find the Higgs Boson and a few other new exotic particles. In addition to this, some models say that it's possible (i.e., not ruled out by experiments already conducted) that some extra-dimensions may be large enough to detect at LHC energies. This would give some important credibility to string theory.

Personally, I give a lot of credit to the idea of extra-dimensions. It seems pretty far out there on the surface, but it's not as sci-fi like as it sounds. Extra-dimensions could also explain a LOT of the physics that we see, even outside of the context of string theory. If you want details, send me an email or post it as a question (and hopefully I'll see it) and I can give you some clues as to where to look.

Answer 3

JFADs answer is very interesting.

I too think that "String theory" is a great piece of imagination by its author. It is one of the most amazing out of the box thinking. But I am not saying that it is correct. It may or may not be.

But when we do not have technology to see even an atom, this "string theory" is trying to guess what lies beneath and sounds very convincing.

Nothing works on faith in science, faith is all about religion. Science only goes by proof and when proof doesn't exist it goes by logic.

I think that "string theory" seems logical enough to be considered seriously. But damn its too complicated.......i always guessed that the nature would be simple at its smallest levels.

Answer 4

It is at least one approach to a remedy of the paradoxes between Albert's theories and quantum physics - but it, too, has many serious bugs that need to be worked out before it becomes widely accepted.

Answer 5

Its just another theory, I try to keep an open mind but that 1 is so major it messes with the mind and vibrates my strings bugs or not. lol. :o)

Just think about it if it were true with the right frequency you could heal, destroy or create mater of any type. At least that could be some of the results I think. Beam me up Scotti.

Answer 6

I have know idea what the String Theory is!

Answer 7

When string theory makes some testable predictions, then we'll see what it's made of. Until then, it's made of grants and big dreams.

Answer 8

you mean the women under ware?none

Answer 9

lots and lots


of faith:)

watch and learn

Answer 10

hard issue. lookup in yahoo or google. it will help!